Minister for European Affairs Strand to visit Berlin

Minister for European Affairs Strand to visit Berlin

Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will visit Berlin on 16 April. During the visit, Minister Strand will meet with German Minister of State for European Affairs Gunther Krichbaum and Chair of the Committee on European Affairs in the Bundestag Anton Hofreiter. The meetings will focus on topical EU issues, the security situation in Europe and bilateral relations between Finland and Germany.

"Germany is a very important ally for Finland in economic and policy issues as well as security. We appreciate and support Germany's commitment to strengthening security throughout Europe," said Minister Strand.

Topics on the agenda for the meetings include the EU's multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2028-2034 and the Union's competitiveness. The MFF sets maximum expenditure ceilings for different policy areas, usually for a period of seven years.

"The EU needs a modern and forward-looking financial framework. Funds should be allocated in ways that align more strongly than at present with the EU's key policy priorities, such as improving Europe's defence and competitiveness. It is also important that the upcoming financial framework, and EU funding more broadly, is subject to the strictest conditionality that corresponds at least to the current level, especially related to compliance with the rule of law," Minister Strand said.

The ministers will also discuss support for Ukraine in order to achieve a just and lasting peace, as well as the situation with regard to EU enlargement.

"The result of the Hungarian election and the consequent change of government will hopefully also mean that we can deliver the EUR 90 billion pledged to Ukraine as soon as possible. Finally, we have to be able to open the first chapters of negotiations in Ukraine's and Moldova's EU membership processes. At the same time, all parties should remember that progress in the EU membership process is strictly merit-based," Minister Strand said.

Ministers Strand and Krichbaum are colleagues on the EU General Affairs Council (GAC), which is responsible for a number of cross-cutting policy areas, including negotiations on the multiannual financial framework and EU enlargement. Questions related to the rule of law are also an established part of the GAC's agenda.

While in Berlin, Minister Strand will also meet with European Policy Advisor to the Federal Chancellor Michael Clauß and with researchers from the Jacques Delors Centre.

Inquiries: Alexander Lång, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 160 866 and Heli Siivola, Senior Specialist for EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 476, Prime Minister's Office